The 92nd New Zealand Golf Open dates was held on January 28th to 1st February 2010 at The Hills golf course in Arrowtown.
“The Hills is a remarkable golf course nestled in the Southern Alps which started as a “pitch and putt” in the backyard and now it’s hosting a golf championship. Dreams do come true.”
Michael Hill
Robert Gates made a 1m clutch putt for par on the final hole to claim the Michael Hill New Zealand Open Championship at The Hills.
Gates saw a six-shot lead with 11 holes to play whittled away by Australian Andrew Dodt in the final round of the Michael Hill New Zealand Open on 31 January, but the 2m American stood tall down the final two holes to win by a shot.
It was the first Nationwide Tour event for the 24-year-old Florida-raised, Texas-based Gates and, apart from the first purse of $US108,000 in the $US600,000 tournament, the rookie professional has earned a full exemption on the United States secondary tour for two years and a three-year exemption on the Australasian Tour.
Despite a four-over back nine of 39 and a final round of two-over 74, Gates held off Dodt, who had a disastrous double-bogey on the par-17th after drawing level with the leader after 70 holes, by a shot, finishing on 14-under 274, a stroke ahead of Dodt and two clear of American Jamie Lovemark, whose four-under 68 matched the best of the day.
Gates said just winning was more satisfying than any of the rewards that accompanied it.
``The trophy is nice and the cheque helps, but just knowing this week that I was able to play against some of the greatest golfers in the world and I was the best gives me encouragement that I’m doing things right.’’
For more information visit www.nzgolf.org.nz
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